England given £225 million boost for playgrounds
Friday, 29 Feb 2008 17:05
England is set to have 30 more adventure playgrounds
Children in England are set to benefit from new playgrounds and play areas under a £225 million investment programme, the government has announced.
Children and families secretary Ed Balls said that 65 local authorities in England will be invited to bid to become 'play pathfinders'; organisations that will work with young people and their communities to develop innovative play sites.
The government wants these sites to have challenging equipment and natural landscapes to encourage children to play outdoors.
They will also be accessible for disabled children.
Successful bids will include plans for building a new staffed adventure playground with indoor and outdoor facilities.
The strategy is designed to improve the opportunities for eight- to 13-year-olds who have little to do.
It is anticipated that there will be 30 pathfinders in total delivering 30 new adventure playgrounds by 2011.
"Children need places which allow them to meet their friends and have fun - being able to burn off their energy in unstructured play is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight and life," said Mr Balls.
"That is why we're making such a big commitment to invest in outdoor play facilities for children.
"I want to encourage local authorities to work with children, young people and their communities to develop play facilities which will really make a difference in their local area. I'd urge them all to consider how this money can best help the children and young people in their boroughs."